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Posts Tagged ‘violence’

Britain’s shooting community condemns BNP sloppy attitude to firearms rules

Friday, October 30th, 2009

The arrest of David Lucas, a Suffolk based farmer and former BNP candidate, on firearms and explosives offences this week elicited an implausible response from Simon Darby, BNP deputy chairman and spokesman.  

“I would imagine that it is to do with his capacity as an agricultural rural chap. It is just one of the many things that ordinary rural people have to deal with when you have got a politically motivated police force.”

These words are roundly rejected by representatives of Britain’s shooting community.

 ”The shooting community in Britain is one of the most law abiding in the world,” said Christopher Graffius, Director of Communications at British Association for Shooting & Conservation. “We have no truck with people who disregard firearms law and thus put themselves and the general public at risk. To complain that unlicensed weapons are common in rural areas is to insult rural people for whom the safe and legal handling of firearms is an important responsibility.”

It is not good enough for a party that aspires to the highest offices in the land to brush off law-breaking by senior figures in its ranks.

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BNP news round up – Friday

Friday, October 30th, 2009

BNP farmer on explosives charge 

A concerning story has emerged and reminds us about the risk posed by the BNP as acting as a ”conveyor belt” to extreme violence. David Lucas, a Suffolk based BNP farmer, was charged with firearms and explosives offences this week.

He has been charged with:

“possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances, possession of an explosives substance without an explosives licence, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate and two counts of possession of prohibited ammunition.”

Simon Darby has this explanation: 

“I think the police have got it in for him. I would imagine that it is to do with his capacity as an agricultural rural chap. It is just one of the many things that ordinary rural people have to deal with when you have got a politically motivated police force.”

The BNP are excusing this story by claiming that this sort of behaviour is quite common in the farming community. This is not tue and it maligns a community that takes arms control extremely seriously.  

More on this story to come.

Outrage as BNP hijacks South Wales VE Day photograph

After our successful veterans campaign last week, the row with the BNP continues to rumble on. Welsh VE Day families add their voices to the debate and demand the BNP to apologise for using their image. The BNP have said they will not.

EHRC denies BNP recruitment campaign – Telegraph Blogs

When the BNP announced that the media circus from last week had helped them find 25,000 new members we thought it a little far-fetched and blog explains why.

EHRC accused of requesting its ethnic minority staff to join BNP

But this story isn’t exactly pleasing. The EHRC have got to start to understand that only by addressing ordinary peoples concerns will the BNP dissappear.

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The threat of neo-fascist violence

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Neo-Nazi violence poses a threat to domestic security

We have already written about the threat posed by neo-fascist violence in Britain, but in today’s Independent Johann Hari has written this piece about why he believes that neo-Nazi violence is just as much as a threat as Jihadism.

Hari writes: “The campaign I am talking about is not being planned by jihadis or fringe Irish nationalists but by white “neo-Nazis” who want to murder Asians, black people, Jews and gays in the bizarre belief it will trigger a ‘race war’.” 

He believes that the recent case of Neil Lewington proves how the threat is just as serious as Al-Qaeda and that the police should be monitoring white communities just as much as Muslim ones.

Concluding, Hari says: “We need to prepare ourselves now: the next person to bomb Britain might not look like Mohammed Sidiq Khan – he might look like me.” 

Hari is perhaps over stating it a bit. Intelligence experts such as Europol believe, quite rightly, that the greatest threat to domestic security is Islamism. Last year, despite the fact that he UK doesn’t release a detailed break down of arrests, there were a total of 187 Islamists arrested compared to zero for ”far-right” groups through out the whole of Europe (see Europol report for 2009).

Moreover, Hari is assuming that all Muslims are non-white. But what about deep rooted Caucasian Muslim communities such as in Bosnia – where Osama Bin Laden launched a Jihad during the 1990s?  And what about converts such as Sulyman (Simon) Keeler? Having attended an Al-Muhajiroun rally in July, I noticed plenty of white converts among the crowds.

There is, however, a serious point that Hari misses, and which we highlighted a few months ago. Groups such as the BNP have the potential to act as a “conveyor belt” to violence. This does not mean that we believe the BNP are a terrorist organisation (in the same way Hizb-ut-Tahrir are not a terrorist group). But it does mean they provide disgruntled members of British society with an ideological framework that can give violent extremists the justification to carry acts of violence (just as HT has done with some of its radicalized followers).  

What do you think? Should the UK security services consider neo-Nazi violence as a serious threat?

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News round up: TUC calls for ban on BNP from public sector | Belgium throws out neo-Nazis from army | BNP member banned from streets after racist slur

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

TUC calls for ban on BNP from public sector

TUC

Delegates at the TUC conference in Liverpool unanimously called for a ban on members of extremist parties working in the public sector.

One union boss said: “It is not acceptable that you can be a fascist at weekends, yet work between Monday and Friday accessing confidential information of members of the public”.

Another said it was “wrong” for BNP members to be allowed to work in the probation service. While the NUJ said the BBC was wrong to allow Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, on Question Time.

These sorts of reactionary measures against the BNP are not only unnecessary (since it overstates the BNP’s influence within the public sector), but also counterproductive.

Authoritarianism and ideological grandstanding will not defeat the BNP. Addressing the issues, however, will. A more constructive and productive approach would have been for the TUC to do a point by point rebuttal of the BNP’s immigration or economic policies.

Nick Griffin has spent the last eight years trying to convince the electorate that the “Establishment” are the true fascists and not the BNP.  Making the BNP look like martyrs only proves Griffin’s point and distracts the electorates attention away from the true fascists, namely, the BNP.

(NB: Not all the Left are not in full agreement about some of the TUC delegates views on the BNP going on QT. Hadleigh Roberts, a Labour Party activist, has written an encouraging piece over on LabourList)

 TUC ban BNP from public services – The Guardian

Belgium throws out  Neo-Nazis from army

Eight soldiers have been thrown out of the Belgian army after it was discovered they had links to “Blood and Honour”, a neo-Nazi organisation with strong links to the BNP. (Many of its leaders are BNP members and Blood and Honour nazi bands have raised money for the BNP. Also see Europol report)

Belgium’s Federal Prosecutor Daniel Bernard said: “There was no evidence of an imminent attack, but from the documents the authorities had seized it was clear that the group wanted to attack the structure and institutions of the state”.

A bomb capable of blowing up a car was just one of the items seized in the raids on five barracks and 18 homes in Flanders. “We found an enormous amount of ammunition. All manner of weapons from hunting rifles to military guns, detonators and above all extreme right and even neo-nazi propaganda,” added the Federal Prosecutor.

The arrests were the result of a two year investigation. Sources claim the group had used army grounds for paramilitary exercises, shooting practice, as well as the spreading of neo-nazi ideology.

According to a report by the US Department for Homeland Security, neo-Nazi organisations are attempting to recruit and radicalize veterans and currently serving members of the armed forces in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat.

Belgium police foil alleged neo-Nazi plot – Euro News

BNP member banned from streets after racist slur

John Chappell, a 60-year old Cambridge member of the BNP, has been banned from his local streets after he declared himself to be “BNP and proud” and subjecting neighbours to racist abuse.

Chappell told a Cambridge-born man with Caribbean origins to “go back where he came from”, a court heard.

He admitted to the charges of racially aggravated harassment, racially aggravated common assault and disorderly behaviour. 

Magistrates made an exclusion order banning Chappell from going to his victims local area for six months. He was also ordered to pay them £75 each in compensation and made the subject of a six-month community order and a six-month supervision requirement, including that he tackles alcohol issues.

The Judge said: “This sort of behaviour is entirely unacceptable, and we are particularly concerned that this was witnessed by a 9-year-old girl.”

BNP supporters ban from street after racist slur – Cambridge News

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Do the BNP act as “conveyor belt” to violent extremism?

Friday, September 11th, 2009
Neo-Nazi terrorists

Neo-Nazi terrorist

Does rising electoral support for racist parties like the BNP lead to more racial violence?

The conviction earlier this week of Neil Lewington, a neo-Nazi who planned a terror campaign in Britain, certainly raises that question.

Lewington is one of the nastiest (if crack-pot) potential neo-Nazi terrorists in recent history. In his summing up, the Judge said Lewington’s terrorist actions were “designed to intimidate non-white people … for the purpose of pursuing the ideological cause of white supremacy and neo-fascism, albeit in a rather unsophisticated way.” In Lewington’s bedroom police found a nail bomb factory and a notebook entitled “Waffen SS UK Members’ Handbook”.

During the trial the court heard about one of Lewington’s inspirations, David Copeland, the Soho nail bomber and former member of the BNP. (Another was Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma bomber).

Despite there being no evidence of Lewington’s involvement with the BNP (he appears to have been a lone wolf), his attempt to emulate the likes of Copeland raises the question: does the electoral success of the BNP lead to violent extremism?

The BNP is legitimate political party operating within the law. For that we should be thankful.

It does, however, hold many white supremacist and neo-fascist views which have direct lineage to Oswald Mosley, the German Nazi Party, the American KKK, Roberto Fiore and modern East European extremists like Jobbik. This is particularly true of leadership figures like Nick Griffin MEP, Andrew Brons MEP, Lee Barnes (Legal Director) and Mark Collett (Head of Publicity).

Whilst all parties have their rotten eggs, the BNP has more than its fair share of violent racists. Some like Robert Cottage (who stood as a BNP candidate three times) and Tony Lecomber were BNP activists. Others like  Copeland and Mark Bullman (who used a BNP leaflet to light his firebomb) were on the fringe. (More details here).

Certainly the pool of candidates is likely to grow. The election and consequent media promotion of Nick Griffin and Andrew Brons gives a certain level of legitimacy to the BNP and its ideals. This means disaffected people trying to find answers to their worries are more likely to turn to the politics of racism, segregation and intolerance and follow the examples set by the BNP’s high profile leaders and violent members.

And the temperature is likely to increase, particularly if politicians refuse to debate the issues that leave some of the population feeling angry, frustrated and dispossessed. Those issues include immigration, Britishness and joblessness.

Experts on Irish Republicanism and Islamism call this the “conveyor belt” to violence. It is too early for any clear evidence either way. But we fear that the election of a small number of weird, nutty and inadequate politicians legitimises the politics of racism and that, in turn, introduces an element of violence and intimidation to British society that changes the way we do politics forever.

See Nick Griffin defend neo-Nazi terrorists:

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News round up: BNP on Australian TV | BNP Harry Patch tribute angers Legion | Griffin praises convicted Italian terrorist

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

BNP on Australian TV

Nick Griffin was on Australian television network SBS this weekend. “We are the Sex Pistols of British politics and we’ve got a number one,” he said.

My eye was caught by a UAF poster with this dubious slogan, “Unemployment and housing is not caused by immigration”. For further details on this statement, see the government’s Migration Advisory Panel report on workers being displaced by migrant workers.

March to the right – SBS Dateline

BNP tribute to Harry Patch angers Legion

Harry Patch

Harry Patch

In July Nothing British wrote about the BNP’s tribute to Harry Patch. We said that the BNP were using this tactic to counter claims that they are not patriotic because of the admiration for Nazis.

This week the Chairman of the Royal British Legion’s Wells branch in Somerset, Robin White, said, “Knowing Harry as I did, he would have no truck with the BNP … (it) is in no way related to peace and reconciliation.”

Mr White also accused Mr Griffin of trying to ­politicise “one of the nation’s most treasured and beloved symbols”.

BNP Patch tribute angers Legion – BBC

Griffin praises convicted Italian terrorist

Roberto Fiore

In a video posted on the BNP’s online TV channel the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, praises convicted Italian terrorist Roberto Fiore and worryingly claims he has been one of the greatest influences on his political outlook.

Fiore is an Italian neo-fascist with a 10 year conviction for being a member of the neo-fascist terrorist group the “Armed Revolutionary Nuclei”. According to The Times, the group was implicated in the Bologna bombing of 1980, which killed 85 people. Fiore went on the run and he was sentenced in absentia. His jail term was eventually “timed out” under Italy’s statute of limitation laws and he was able to return to his homeland in April 1999.

Nothing British believes that Fiore’s presence within the BNP – and their refusal to distance themselves from him – proves how they have not progressed since their more thuggish days during the 1970s and 80s.

Roberto Fiore at RWB – By BNP TV

Oxford University Conservative Association racism row

It’s far-fetched to suggest that the success of the BNP is any way related to the recent telling of a racist joke by a bunch of berks at the Oxford University Conservative Association hustings. However,  we do believe that continued presence of a neo-fascist party in British politics does lead to a greater tolerance of racism in mainstream society.

Nothing British thinks that this sort of behaviour from OUCA – who aspire to be potential leaders of our country – is a disgrace. There is no place for racism in any part of British society in the 21st Century.

Don’t use our name, Oxford University tells young Tories after race disgrace – The Daily Mail

BNP fields candidate in Billericay election

The decision by the Conservative Party to run candidates wherever possible against the BNP is a laudable one. There is little/no electoral gain for the party becuase at present the BNP is sweeping up mainly ex-Labour voters, but it sends an important moral signal.

It’s a shame they haven’t found a candidate in the Billericay by-election later this month but we hope that in the run-up to the 2010 council elections the Conservatives will try their hardest to find candidates to stand against the BNP and prevent them from picking up easy votes.

BNP fields candidate in Billericay election – Basildon Recorder

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Violent effects the BNP has on communities

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Football riotOver the last 24 hours, two disturbing acts of violence have been linked to the BNP. Firstly, a Muslim community leader was abducted at knifepoint. He was bundled him into a car and the attackers threatened his life unless he stopped running prayer sessions in a community hall that has been the target of a BNP campaign.

And secondly,undercover TV reporter Donal MacIntyre whose exposé of the Chelsea Headhunter thugs helped convict five yobs,blamed the West Ham football riots on the BNP’s recent sucess. He said: “The election of the BNP has given a licence and respectability to some very unacceptable views and unacceptable behaviour. Scouring the fan web sites has indicated that.”

The first case, which occurred in Loughton, was preceded by the victim’s house being fire-bombed.  Noor Ramjanally runs a small muslim prayer group, of less than 10 people, in a local community centre. Soon after starting the group, he recieved anonymous hate mail and also saw the start of a BNP campaign claiming Murray hall will be turned into a mosque and warning in other parts of east London that “the Islamification process is almost complete”. The BNP says: “We’ll do all in our power to prevent Islam creeping into our town.” BNP group council leader says she approved the leaflet before its release.

Just a few days ago, on the 24th August, Ramjanally was abducted by two white men wielding a knife, bundled into the boot of a car, driven to Epping Forest and again threatened if he does not stop running his prayer group. Councillor Pat Richardson, leader of the BNP group on the local council, said her party was not behind the attacks on Ramjanally. “Firebombing is not a British method. A brick through the window is a British method, but firebombing is not a way of showing displeasure,” she said.

While it may turn out that none of the perpetrators are influential BNP personnel or even affiliated with the BNP, Nothing British agrees with Donal MacIntyre’s view. The BNP preach a message of hate, extremism and intimidation (the leaflet mentioned above demonstrates this well). Their propaganda creates mountains out of molehills, unnecessarily riling up ordinary people which encourages  unacceptable views and behaviour.

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Is BNP school-yard bullying a growing trend?

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Bullying in schoolsTwo weeks and two different cases of abhorrent behaviour from young children affiliated with the BNP. Last week a 15 year old boy escaped a prison sentence after bullying a 14 year old mixed-race girl to the brink of suicide.

The girl, who is of mixed white English and black African heritage, was called “wog”, “coon”, “nigger”, “gorilla” and “golliwog” by the boy. She also suffered abusive chants of “white, white, white is right, kick them out, fight, fight, fight” and was repeatedly told: “Go back to your own country, you don’t belong here.”

She wrote a suicide note and took an overdose on Jan 25 this year. She was then sectioned for six weeks in a psychiatric hospital before the family moved to a different part of the country.

During the case it emerged the boy was a known BNP supporter who actively tried to enlist other youths.

This week, it was revealed that an undercover reporter for the News of the World attended the BNP’s Red White and Blue festival and recorded disturbing images of a young girl burning a golly after a mock trial where the golly, named Winston, is charged ‘with being black.’

The BNP promote itself heavily among young people, using recruitment drives with their  Youth BNP wing and with well designed Facebook, Bebo and Myspace sites. Before the European election they would often campaign close to local schools.

Nothing British is worried that these two cases are just the start of a growing trend. Easily influenced children are likely to use the BNP as an excuse to legitimise racially motivated bullying.  Children are quick to learn and those that are disciplined for racial bullying may start telling teachers that they are just sticking up for BNP values.  This may make it tricky for schools to be able to act…..

Especially if BNP councillors are on the school’s governing body.


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Briton is attacked by German group with strong ties to the BNP

Monday, August 24th, 2009

National Democratic Party supporters marching in Dresden

A 46 year-old unidentified British man was attacked by a group of neo-Nazis, with ties to the BNP, while shopping with his wife and 4 year-old child in a bakery in Hamburg, Germany. 

Members of the National Democratic Party (NDP) are believed to have approached the Briton, who is black, with leaflets calling for a ban on immigration and said to him, “‘Here, take one of these with you back to where you belong”.

A member of the violent group ”pushed” him against a glass window as second man “punched” him and a third ”sprayed pepper spray in his eyes”. An eye witness said, “The wife was screaming for them to leave her husband alone but they just heaped more racial abuse on her as her little boy screamed ‘leave my daddy alone!’  It was vicious and unprovoked.”

In Deceember 2008, The Daily Telegraph reported that in the first ten months of 2008 Germany saw 30% increase of incidents perpetrated by far-Right offenders, including violent attacks.

In August 2002, the BNP leader, Nick Griffin, attended the NDP Pressefest Rally. He was photographed for the NDP’s newspaper Deutsche Stimme with NDP leader Udo Voigt and former KKK leader David Duke.

Also, in March 2005 Griffin was invited to take part in the NDP rally “National Awakening in the 21st Century”. However, he did not attend due to duties and other commitments.

Nothing British believes that these disturbing incidents represent a trend across Britain and Europe of ultra-racist groups becoming revitalised by the electoral success of neo-Nazis - who are capitalizing on the economic crisis, uncontrolled immigration and religious fanaticism. We also believe that the BNP’s refusal to distance itself from groups such as the NDP is further proof that the party’s change is merely cosmetic and not a genuine ideological shift to the mainstream.  

“Black British man attacked by Neo-Nazi thugs” – By The Daily Mail.

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Italian neo-fascist with links to terrorism attends BNP rally

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Another interesting development this weekend was the alleged sighting of Nick Griffin’s mate, Roberto Fiore. Fiore’s return to the BNP scene is further evidence of how the party’s recent changes are only cosmetic and that beneath it is still the same as its National Front days of the 1970s and 80s.

Fiore is an Italian neo-fascist with a 10 year conviction for being a member of the neo-fascist terrorist group the “Armed Revolutionary Nuclei”. According to The Times, the group was implicated in the Bologna bombing of 1980, which killed 85 people.

Fiore went on the run and he was sentenced in absentia. His jail term was eventually “timed out” under Italy’s statute of limitation laws and he was able to return to his homeland in April 1999. During Griffin’s National Front days, Fiore encouraged  the future BNP leader to model the NF on the Romanian Iron Guard (see video below). The Iron Guard were allies of the Nazis during the 1930’s and 40’s they believed, however, Hitler was “too soft” on the Jews (see Time magazine article from 1941 here).

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